Astros report: Clemens offers words of wisdom to pitching staff

Seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens, a special assistant to general manager Jeff Luhnow, addressed the Astros’ pitchers Saturday night and encouraged them to have pride in what they do.

Clemens was at Minute Maid Park to visit with Mariners first base coach Mike Brumley, who won a national championship with him at the University of Texas. He also visited with Seattle manager Eric Wedge and signed autographs for first baseman Justin Smoak and outfielder Michael Saunders. Then he headed to the Astros’ clubhouse to talk to the pitchers.

“The main message today was just to try and keep their health in the second half, really watch their workouts as far as keeping their energy up and their spirits up,” Clemens said. “It’s tough. The three years I was here, we had a lot of close, one-run ballgames.

“You had to grind your way through it. There were a few games when I might have given up a home run and we were trailing, and you just hang on and give your guys a chance to come back. They’re doing great, and they have a bunch of great coaches in there.”

Clemens, 50, chuckled and said no when asked if he would pitch again this year for the Sugar Land Skeeters, but he says his eldest son, Koby, is having a good season catching with the Skeeters. Clemens’ third son, Kacy, a recent Memorial High graduate, will play baseball at Texas in the fall.

“Kacy’s doing great,” Clemens said. “He’ll be at Texas. Koby’s doing fantastic. His average is down, but his power numbers are off the chart. He’s been clutch hitting. If he can hit somewhere around .250 with the way he’s throwing and again his power numbers are fantastic … he just needs to keep plugging along.”

Although Clemens has been busy traveling, he says he has kept up with the Astros through TiVo.

“Same thing I talked to the guys today: Somebody’s watching,” he said. “The trade deadline is coming, and somebody’s watching. Have pride in what you do. That’s part of the business. But while you’re here, give all your efforts to the Houston Astros.

“If you love what you do — and I know they all do or they wouldn’t be doing it — that’s what you want to keep your focus on as the trade deadline comes. The deadline is coming very quick, and there are going to be teams that need arms.”

Everett praises young shortstops

Former Astros shortstop Adam Everett, who remains one of the best defensive shortstops in franchise history, will be at Minute Maid Park during the homestand as part of his duties as one of the organization’s infield instructors.

The Astros’ starting shortstop during the 2005 World Series has shuttled throughout the farm system working with infielders this year.

“Everybody’s coming along really well,” he said. “It’s really been a really productive year. Guys seem to be moving in the right direction. It’s just a lot of fun to see a guy early in the year and then go and see him toward the middle and the end of the year and see how they’re progressing, not only as players but as men, I guess, in the game and maturing. It’s a lot of fun.”

Everett was considered one of the best defensive shortstops in the majors during his 11-year career from 2001 through 2011. The Astros have a pair of talented shortstops in the system — Class AAA Oklahoma City’s Jonathan Villar and Class A Quad Cities’ Carlos Correa, the first overall pick in the 2012 draft.

“Villar is an interesting kid,” Everett said. “He’s got all the ability and talent. It’s just a matter of time before he gets his shot. Heck, he’s an extremely talented kid. The sky’s the limit. It’s just really up to him.

“With Correa, it’s just a matter of knocking off the edges and polishing him up and getting him ready. All the abilities are there, mentally and physically. It’s just a matter of him learning and just developing and continuing to go in the right direction, which he is. He’s going to be special.”

“You want to face the best,” Lyles said. “He’s definitely one of the best — if not the best — in the game. I’m looking forward to the challenge. But like I said, I’m not in the box against him. I’m not facing him, and he’s not facing me. He’s facing my guys, and I’m facing his guys.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge. Everybody comes to the ballpark ready to play when a guy like him is going to be on the mound.”

Lyles, 22, has a 3.11 ERA in his 11 starts since May 17. He had a career-high 10 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings on June 12 against the Mariners at Safeco Field.